Q:I am 25 years old. I got married last year and conceived after 4 months of marriage. I got typhoid fever soon after I conceived. I had fever for one and a half months. My haemoglobin level was only 6% when I conceived. Now, I am 6 months pregnant but last week when I went for a general checkup, the doctor did a scan and told me that the heartbeat of the fetus had reduced and there was no growth of fetus for the past 4 weeks. Finally my baby was born without a heartbeat. What can be the reason for this?

A:Sometimes high fever itself can lead to death of the fetus. In your case, however, the baby did not grow well initially - could be due to fever, and your low haemoglobin level - you had severe anaemia. There are other numerous causes for growth restriction followed by intrauterine fetal death(IUFD). Placental insufficiency, fetal infections, fetal chromosomal and severe congenital malformations are some causes. Diabetes, high blood pressure, and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome are some conditions in the pregnant woman that can lead to placental insufficiency. It is important that your haemoglobin comes to normal, that you are investigated thoroughly, and you take folic acid (Tab Folvite 1 tablet daily for 3 months) prior to next conception. I advise you not to conceive for the next 6 months.